Do chia drinks freak you out? I kind of gravitate to the juices and other drinks with all the little floaties in them.View full post »

COZY AND HEALTHY SUPERFOOD LATTES

February 11th, 2015

pin it!pin it!pin it!
I usually walk into my local health food store for a crusty loaf of multi-seed sourdough and maybe a re-up of brown basmati rice. But also… I almost always walk out with 3 sample size packets of plant-based protein powder, a Synergy Kombucha (the ones with chia seeds if I’m lucky), some sort of grain-free dog treat (my girl’s got sensitive skin), coconut milk ice cream, a new herbal tea, some kind of rice cracker/cake, a bar of my fave raw chocolate with vanilla and salt, a new flour/grain to play around with, and whatever superfood du jour that I’ve just read about.

Those bags and jars of dried fruit, seeds, powders, tabs, bark pieces, and leaves tend to realize their fate in my daily smoothie. The individual flavour of each is buried in this application and I really can’t tell you with 100% certainty whether my immunity is stronger (no colds yet this year), my focus more laser beam-like, or my energy levels significantly enhanced. I just know that I feel good and I chalk up about an ounce of that positivity to these, ahem, super additions.

I do have specific uses for some of these quote unquote functional foods (like this and this), but for the most part they seem to fit in just right with my fancy beverage routine. A traditional latte is one of my favourite small/frequently enjoyed luxuries–it’s rich without being overwhelming, the ratio of coffee to (non-dairy) milk suits me just right, and the small amount of foam doesn’t seem superfluous.

Around 5 years ago, I found myself enjoying a soy milk latte while out and about every other day or so. I also found myself with the worst case of acne I’d ever had. I was dumbfounded on why this could be happening at 25 years old and also considering how healthy I was otherwise. I ate a varied diet based on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and healthy fat with little sugar. I hydrated religiously,green juiced often, took probiotics and Omega 3 supplements, made horrifyingly blue spirulina shots every day, used the gentlest all natural face care I could find, got tons of exercise, avoided reading things on the internet, and slept like a champ every night. I felt amazing, so it was extra frustrating that the most visible part of me didn’t effectively communicate that vibrance. It’s like living with a cautious confidence. After taking some time to focus on higher amounts of certain vitamins and minerals and removing soy almost entirely (still rollin’ with tempeh and sprouted tofu very occasionally), I started getting results. To this day, if I drink even a small soy latte, it’s almost a lock that a throbbing zitter will be saying hello the next day. SO not worth it.

So I mention that little pocket of possible over-sharing just to emphasize how often I enjoy coffee/warm drinks at home now. There’s a couple little café spots around town that have almond milk, but they all use the ubiquitous one in the blue carton that just goes weirdly tannic when it gets steamed. Maybe it’s just me? I don’t know. I wasn’t about to buy one of those specialty plug-in milk frothers and once I happened upon the discovery that coconut/MCT oil + warm liquid + blend on high = creamy, foamy, frothy latte-ish fun time, my non-dairy woes weren’t a thing anymore.

I really got into a vegan version of bulletproof coffee last summer–just hot coffee with a bit of MCT oil, a dab of coconut butter/manna, and a splash of full fat coconut milk. All of the supposed benefits of mixing coffee with fat aside, I enjoyed the taste and texture so much after it all got blended together. So this led to my superfood lattes discovery. I could use up all of those random bags I had picked up at the health food store, maybe enjoy their individual flavours a bit more, and have myself a cozy and healthy drink too. I have one of these everyday, usually when I hit that little afternoon slump and they’re never the same way twice. I offer three versions here that you can play with: a turmeric vanilla spice, a raw cacao and goji berry one and a wildcard matcha and maca one with tahini! Totally, totally super :)

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the liquid to a strong simmer, whisking a couple times. Once it’s quite warm, carefully pour the liquid into a blender and slowly blend the mixture until thoroughly combined and frothy. Pour the drink into a cup and shake a bit of cinnamon on top if you like.

2. raw cacao + goji berry superfood latte recipeserves: 1notes: I love the intensity of raw cacao powder in this, but regular cocoa powder would be just as tasty.

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the liquid to a strong simmer, whisking a couple times. Once it’s quite warm and the date/gojis are completely soft, carefully pour the liquid and softened dried fruit into a blender and slowly blend the mixture until thoroughly combined, smooth, and frothy. Garnish with extra goji berries, a sprinkle of cacao powder or cacao nibs if you like.

3. matcha + maca superfood latte with tahiniserves: 1notes: I imagine a bit of raw cacao butter dissolved into the mix would give this a delicious white chocolate feel similar to this gorgeous recipe.

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the liquid to a strong simmer, whisking a couple times. Once it’s quite warm, carefully pour the liquid into a blender and slowly blend the mixture until thoroughly combined and frothy. Garnish the drink with a little sprinkle of sesame seeds of you like.

you had me at tahini. seriously. that matcha + maca superfood latte is a winner. I am more of a strong americano kind of gal, but every now and then something a little frothier warms the soul – like a hug in a mug. Oh – and don’t even get me started on that giddy yoyo sea salt chocolate, I emailed them to see if they would ship me someto France – no joy. So my last suit case was filled to the brim, the supplies didn’t last long. Big hearts for this one, Laura xReplyCancel

ummm…YES. JUST YES. these drinks are wicked! matcha + maca?! brilliant!! i started stocking the giddy yoyo bars last week.. cheese & crackers!!! FABULOUS. can’t wait to try that matcha latte this afternoon, when i don’t want to go for espresso. thanks lady;)ReplyCancel

Yay! This is perfect! I love making ‘superfood’ drinks in the mornings before I leave for work – sometimes in smoothie form and other times (especially on these super chilly mornings) a hot version. I can’t wait to try your matcha maca latte! Everytime I go to the health food store, my basket has a similar mix :) Have you tried the Rise Mint and Chlorophyll kombucha? I can never seem to pass it by (the Rose Hibiscus by Rise is another favourite) and the Giddy YoYo chocolates are SO delicious! xoReplyCancel

I’m eying the raw chocolate and goji berry creation. That looks right up my alley. Though, really, all of these sound so interesting!ReplyCancel

s11/02/2015 - 9:57 am

GOD the exact same thing happened to me with soy, though i unfortunately discovered my intolerance about 1 week after busting into a tub of soy protein powder. when i stopped soy cold turkey (tofurky?), i stopped breaking out entirely. until that point, i had decent skin, but still got a bit of acne every now and then. the protein powder left me with disastrous cystic acne, and it took my skin almost 2 months to recover completely. but now that i am totally soy-less, my skin is totally free of breakouts, save the one usual zit i get right before my period. it still shocks me how big of a difference it made to cut out soy. i am so glad to know i’m not the only one!ReplyCancel

Girl. These are everything!!! I love a good soy latte (no face issues from them, heh) but these obviously sound 1 million times more satisfying. I haven’t tried the bulletproof coffee yet but have been intrigued. Definitely going to try these out and holy heck, VANILLA BEAN POWDER? There’s a coffee shop right around the corner that makes their own almond milk…next time you’re here, we’ve got a date. ;)ReplyCancel

Hey Adrienne, I think with each of the drinks you could make a large batch up–just follow the simmering and blending steps, but leave the coconut oil out. When you go to reheat portions of the drink individually, add the dab of oil in at that point and re-blend it (that’s what gives it the frothy/foamy quality).
-LReplyCancel

Yes to these… They are all morning bevs I can totally get behind. Unfortunately coffee makes me super anxious. :( I’m gonna go make one now. It’s a toss up between cacao-goji and turmeric-vanilla spice.ReplyCancel

Made the cacao and goji latte today and thoroughly enjoyed it outside in the sun (for once! as the sun makes rare appearances during our Swiss winters). I make something similar during the winter months but hadn’t added goji berries before and I love this addition. Thank you!ReplyCancel

I love how you shared about how your poor skin hates soy. With so much health info out there we can sometimes forget that our body is totes unique and we have to listen to it. what works for me, maybe won’t work for the next guy…. one of these beautiful babies is sure to do the trick though :) xo.ReplyCancel

Totally relating on the soy issue! One year I broke out with the THE worst case of face rash ever, and for the life of me did not know what was up. It took a while for me to figure out what it was – who knew! I avoid soy milk at all costs now.

Matcha, maca, AND tahini?! So have to try this! These are brilliant and I am now googling what the heck bulletproof coffee is all about. Super weird about that soy-face-conundrum (I love using that word) but glad you got it sorted, and these look like they will beat a 5 buck cafe late any day. Nice work **tipping hat**ReplyCancel

I was really intrigued so I went ahead and tried the turmeric latte. Bit weird, I think my tastebuds need to adjust to the turmeric, but it’s actually growing on me. I like the warmth the spice leaves on my tongue, it’s definitely helping me beat the Scottish winter cold! I’ll be trying the matcha + maca next :)ReplyCancel

If this doesn’t tell people what a magical, vibe-y superfood goddess you are, I don’t know what will! I’m heading to the airport today, so I think the tumeric one will be my drink of choice for the ride over : ) As always, love your work dearest!ReplyCancel

DAMN LAURA THESE ALL LOOK AMAZING!!! Seriously, thanks for sharing this armada of superfood lattes — I’m always on the lookout for breakfasts that make me actually get going instead of wanting to crawl back into bed and die (hence why I am a hater of brunch). These lattes look bomb!ReplyCancel

michelle11/02/2015 - 2:14 pm

These look amazing and the photos are gorgeous! I am trying to cut back on coffee but these look so good that I want to try them. I have just started replacing coffee with roasted barley tea. I love exploring different kinds of teas too!ReplyCancel

I make warm drinks SO similar to this almost everyday too! I can always feel the difference when I’m consistently consuming superfoods. I’ll have to experiment with taking soy out for a while, my skin has been acting weird and maybe that’s the culprit. Thanks for the suggestion!ReplyCancel

These look so cozy and tasty! :) Also I adore Giddy Yoyo chocolate too. Have you ever tried their dried banana spears? They are magical I tell you!ReplyCancel

Heather11/02/2015 - 10:13 pm

Your photos are so beautiful as always Laura. A matcha latte is my daily afternoon pick-me-up, but I think I will be trying the raw cacao latte tomorrow. :) Oh and store bought almond milk is gross! All I can taste is salt and it just ruins any coffee drink for me. My homemade cashew or almond milk is the bomb.ReplyCancel

These are my kind of lattes. I often do a maca root/coconut oil/mct oil/chaga mushroom blend, but I need to get out of my old habits and try something new. Thanks you for the ideas :)
P.S. Your dog has such a sweet face!ReplyCancel

I had the exact same thing happen with soy milk! I was eating (whole food, mainly veggie diet) healthy, exercising plenty and sleeping well but started cutting out dairy… as a consequence I was consuming a lot of soy milk and tofu (blended with herbs etc to make creamy sauce). Pimple central in my mid 30s… as soon as I cut out soy it stopped, but I also notice it now if I eat soy products. I mentioned it to my doctor at the time, and he didn’t seem convinced with my theory… anyway, I’m usually ok with tempeh and a little bit of organic GMO-free, high quality tofu now and again, but I steer clear of soy milk as it seems to be the worst offender.

Cheers, Sophie

ps. I like the new design of your site (and love your blog – plus these lattes)ReplyCancel

Hey Sophie, I loved reading your comment because it sounds like you went through the exact same thing I did–including the part where your doctor wasn’t convinced. Mine was a naysayer too! Good thing we both listened to our bodies :) Thanks so much for this <3
-LReplyCancel

wow, thiese recipes sound amazing! Finally I can put all these lovely ingredients in something to drink. Can’t wait to try them.
I have a question: why do you add the Coconut oil? Can I leave it out when i use Full Coconut milk?ReplyCancel

Hi Tünchen, I add the coconut oil because it seems to give the drink that frothy/foamy quality that I love. I think when the oil gets blended with the water-based plant milk, it combines by surrounding the water-y components with a layer of fat essentially–kind of like when a vinaigrette gets mixed/emulsified. And that’s what makes for the extra creamy texture. Even with full fat coconut milk I would use a little bit of oil.
-LReplyCancel

These all look so delicious! I will definitely give them a try once winter hits back on us here. Right now is 35°C so anything hot I want to keep away.
Dreaming of the colder days only for this though!! :)ReplyCancel

How cold is too cold for a superfood smoothie? Probably a 3 degree windchill in Chicago. Will definitely be experimenting with these this week as the temps drop past the acceptable-for-a-smoothie threshold (sob). All of them look lovely!ReplyCancel

i seriously cannot WAIT to try each and every one of these. you’re speaking my language, lady!!!! matcha TAHINI! oh man. so stoked. STOKED i tell you. and hey have you ever tried drinking mugwort during the day? it’s usually used to enhance dreams and sipped before bed, but my herbalist friend gave me a tea mix which includes it as a main ingredient. And i’m telling you i’m super focused after sipping a cup of it. just wanted to share. i’m thinking of steeping mugwort in the base liquid for one of these superfood lattes to get that focused energy element. again, love these wholeheartedly.ReplyCancel

All of these sound really appealing, i want to try them right now! But i will have to wait until tomorrow mornings breakfast… hm, guess it will be the cacao and goji one :) Thanks for sharing these and your personal story with soy!ReplyCancel

Hayles13/02/2015 - 8:28 pm

Hi Laura. Am sipping the cacoa and berry latte as I write. It’s delicious. Have been a fan of bulletproof coffee for a few weeks now and have just come across your blog while pinning other recipes. This is a great blog. thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and recipes. Making the vanilla turmeric next. Turmeric jar was empty ReplyCancel

Checking in to say I made the matcha+maca smoothie yesterday aaaaaannnndddd….lets just say I made it again today :) probably again tomorrow. tastes and feels so good Laura! You are a genius, and I really should branch out tomorrow and try one of the others! thank you!ReplyCancel

Love this post. I usually tend to throw maca, etc. into smoothies or oatmeal but the latte idea is great for winter (or whenever winter decides to roll around southern california)…

And a similar thing happened to me! After I started to eat healthy, take omega 3 + spirulina, exercise, sleep, etc. my skin was wonderful until last year in May when it started acting out. I tried every face wash/cream under the sun but nothing has helped so far. Its incredibly frustrating. Now I’m trying to see if there was anything I started eating around that time that could be blamed? UrghhhhhReplyCancel

checking in because I haven’t in awhile. We’ve been moving / shaking / changing! Every time I come on your site I freak out. I just love you. These are brilliant. The new look is beautiful!ReplyCancel

Lorna18/02/2015 - 11:01 pm

Wow, the turmeric vanilla spice latte is just the thing for a snowy winter’s night. After a week of not being able to feel my toes, I think I’m finally beginning to thaw. So warming and delicious, thank you.ReplyCancel

I just did the turmeric latte with a spoonful of masala chai at the steeping stage (strained it out before frothing) and wow! I think the turmeric + pepper makes a really complex flavor. Thanks for an afternoon-work-at-home boost!ReplyCancel

I thought this might be going a little toooo far with the superfood trend. But, you know what? If you can get a dog into goji berries then it’s good enough for me!ReplyCancel

darcy08/04/2015 - 5:06 am

I had kelp noodles for dinner, which is fine, except that I blended an avocado into the sauce. And for some reason, blended avocados leave my stomach feeling queezy. (too bad at lunch time tomorrow)
BUT it was an incentive to make your tumeric drink above. OH MY GOODNESS, how beautiful. Thank you. Bodes well for winter as it heads towards New Zealand
yum yum YUM, thanks againReplyCancel

1st- I just stumbled upon your blog through Pinterest, and I love it!
2nd- I was having the same skin issues, doing everything right and still breaking out. I just recently started cutting soy out and skin cleared! I’m glad to hear this is a thing (for at least the 2 of us).
3rd- I tried to make a homemade latte yesterday using almond milk (store bought) and it tasted rancid after being heated. Again, glad to hear this wasn’t me screwing something up.

I will definitely be trying these recipes! Have you tried a latte with reishi mushroom (another superfood of sorts) yet? It is delicious!ReplyCancel

[…] Maca… what? Native to the Andean Mountains of Peru + used throughout the Inca empire, maca [+ specifically its root] is a plant with a long history as a superfood. Loaded with various vitamins + minerals, it naturally boosts energy [without the typical caffeine crash!], balances hormones, + can aid in stress relief. ++ what makes it even cooler? Maca has potent adaptogenic properties, meaning it helps each + every body differently, based on the individual’s needs. Normally sold in a powder form, maca can be used in smoothies + tea, in your homemade granola, + mixed in with your morning yogurt. We’re pining over these maca-inspired beverages! Blissful Basil’s Peanut Butter Maca Smoothie + The First Mess’ Maca + Matcha Superfood Latte […]ReplyCancel

[…] 1. Raw Cacao and Goji Berry Superfood Latte The plain ol’ cup of hot cocoa gets a serious nutrition upgrade with this recipe from The First Mess. For one, it’s sweetened with a date opposed to processed sugar. Unlike cocoa powder, cacao is made from raw pressed beans, whereas cocoa powder is roasted. Similar compounds tested by researchers have been shown to potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and stroke, and may prove to be a good energy source for pregnant women, who need to watch their caffeine intake. Using almond or coconut milk in this recipe also makes it vegan-friendly. Photo and recipe: Laura Wright / The First Mess […]ReplyCancel

Oh my! These photos look absolutely stunning. I’ve just had the matcha and tahini latte, and I threw in some cacao butter as well. Pleased to say that it was delicious :) I love matcha latte, but the same old recipe gets boring after some time, so adding some maca and tahini is really a great idea!
It’s only recently that I have discovered your blog and I have no idea why it took me so long… Anyway, now that I know about it, I’ll probably become a very regular reader… :)ReplyCancel

CC18/12/2016 - 10:23 am

The Vanilla bean almond milk turmeric latte is the one for me…I’m in heaven. Thank you so much. I was so depressed yesterday, I know it sounds strange but since the big M began last year I have been suffering bouts of extreme depression. I came across this site and thought I would make this latte. I ended up making two then another latte last night for my husband as well. He’s in love too..we sat and talked over a cup of this luscious latte..I felt better. Something so small made a difference in how I felt. Thank you for that.ReplyCancel

[…] with plant-based foods and also cooking within the seasons. I highly recommend trying Laura’s Superfood Lattes – yum, and if this blog doesn’t get you thinking about veggies in a new way then it […]ReplyCancel

Jana Bedard23/03/2017 - 6:14 pm

I have made the first two and love them! I added cayenne to the top of the second one for a little kick. Have you made any other versions recently that you love?ReplyCancel

[…] Matcha is a finely ground powder of shade-grown green tea with the highest amount of caffeine. I brewed this hot, with water. This brew, I enjoyed on my commute during the week. I experimented a bitt with it over the weekend as I had more time to spare and made a matcha-maca latte. I found the recipe that I base mine on at the first mess. […]ReplyCancel

[…] so L.A., gross – pictured above. It’s a riff off my all-time favorite non-coffee drink, the goji and turmeric hot chocolate from The First Mess, a genius of a plant-based […]ReplyCancel

Carolyn17/01/2018 - 8:00 pm

I was just thinking i want to start a new habit of sipping turmeric at night and then this hit my inbox! And i cant wait to try the others too! I would love to hear more about those spirulina shots too! Is it just mixes with water?ReplyCancel

Kim11/02/2018 - 9:12 am

I should probably know this but … vanilla powder? Do I just go into a health food store and ask for that? Does vanilla bean or vanilla work just the same?ReplyCancel